SCOTTISH patients have been denied a revolutionary new breast cancer drug described as a “step change” in the way the condition is treated.

Afinitor, proven to extend the lives of patients with an advanced form of breast cancer for up to five months, has been rejected on cost grounds.

The decision by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) to reject the treatment has been described as a “red flag” by campaigners.

Its rejection comes as the Scottish Government ponders the creation of a national body to consider special requests for rare cancer drugs.

The daily tablet is designed to treat post-menopausal women suffering from hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer if their disease has returned following hormone therapy.

Also known as everolimus, it works by binding to a protein that regulates cell growth, inhibiting spread of the cancer cells if taken alongside the drug exemestane.

Both the SMC and its English counterpart, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), rejected the drug on cost grounds despite it being recognised by clinicians and health authorities in the United States and a number of countries across Europe.

Today’s decision from the SMC is an utter disappointment for Breakthrough, and will come as a blow to nearly 300 women

James Jopling, director for Scotland at Breakthrough Breast Cancer

Breast cancer affects around 4,000 women in Scotland each year, with Afinitor estimated to be suitable to treat around 1,500 cases across the UK annually.

James Jopling, director for Scotland at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: “Today’s decision from the SMC is an utter disappointment for Breakthrough, and will come as a blow to the nearly 300 women who might have benefited from the precious, quality time with their families and loved ones Afinitor could have given them.

“This drug has been shown to be effective at slowing the growth of some metastatic breast cancers, to help a patient live a good quality of life for longer.

“But the ever-present issue of cost has taken an invaluable option away from these women for whom the treatment options are very limited.”

David Cameron, Professor of Oncology and Director of Cancer Services for NHS Lothian at the University of Edinburgh, said: “It is a disappointment that everolimus, which offers significant additional benefit for women with advanced breast cancer, cannot be made routinely available to NHS patients in Scotland at a cost the NHS will support.”